[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8880-H8881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY BEAVERS BASEBALL TEAM FOR 
                 WINNING THE 2007 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 515) congratulating the Oregon State University 
Beavers baseball team for winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division I College World Series.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows

                              H. Res. 515

       Whereas on June 24, 2007, before 25,012 fans at Rosenblatt 
     Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, the largest championship game 
     crowd in College World Series history, the Oregon State 
     University Beavers baseball team capped an improbable season, 
     winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Division I College World Series Championship by defeating the 
     University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 2 games to none, in a 
     best-of-3 championship series;
       Whereas the 2007 College World Series Championship 
     represents the second National Championship for the Beavers 
     baseball team;
       Whereas the 2007 Beaver baseball team became the first team 
     in a decade to capture back-to-back national titles;
       Whereas the 2007 Oregon State University Beaver baseball 
     team became only the 5th team in College World Series history 
     to repeat as national champions;
       Whereas the Beavers won 49 games while losing only 18 in 
     2007;
       Whereas the Beavers were undefeated in the 2007 College 
     World Series;
       Whereas the Beavers trailed for only 1 of 45 innings they 
     played in the 2007 College World Series;
       Whereas the Beavers became the first team to win 4 College 
     World Series games by at least 6 runs;
       Whereas the Beavers became the first No. 3 seed to ever win 
     the College World Series since the current 64-team format was 
     introduced;
       Whereas the Beavers outscored their opponents 42-16 in the 
     College World Series;
       Whereas the Beavers ended their season with 10 straight 
     NCAA tournament victories;
       Whereas the Beavers were the only team to return to the 
     2007 College World Series for a 3rd consecutive year;
       Whereas Oregon State University's appearance in the 2007 
     College World Series marked only the 4th time in the school's 
     history;
       Whereas the Beaver baseball team lost 7 starting position 
     players and their top 3 pitchers from their 2006 National 
     Championship team;
       Whereas the Beavers are the first team ever to win a 
     College World Series title after not having a winning record 
     in conference play that season;
       Whereas Darwin Barney's second inning 2-run home run set a 
     new Beaver record for career hits with 237--eventually ending 
     with 238 career hits;
       Whereas freshman pitcher Jorge Reyes was awarded the 
     College World Series Most Outstanding Player after going 2-0 
     in his 2 starts with a 2.92 ERA becoming only the 5th 
     freshman to win the award in 58 College World Series 
     tournaments;
       Whereas the Beavers had 6 players named to the Men's 
     College World Series All-Tournament Team, including pitcher 
     Jorge Reyes, outfielder Scott Santschi, catcher Mitch Canham, 
     second baseman Joey Wong, shortstop Darwin Barney, and 
     designated hitter Mike Lissman;
       Whereas undergraduate assistant coach Kurt Steele and his 
     wife Kathy, traveled back from their Saturday wedding in 
     Philomath, Oregon, to be with the team in Omaha on Sunday 
     when it clinched the National Championship;
       Whereas the Beavers have displayed great heart, outstanding 
     dedication, resilience, character, and sportsmanship 
     throughout the season in achieving the highest honor in 
     collegiate baseball;
       Whereas the students, alumni, and faculty of Oregon State 
     University and other fans of Oregon State University have 
     shown tremendous commitment to and support for the Beavers 
     baseball program; and
       Whereas the Beavers have brought pride to Oregon State 
     University, the Corvallis community, the State of Oregon, and 
     Beaver Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the Oregon State University Beavers baseball team for winning 
     the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I 
     College World Series Championship for a 2nd consecutive year.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.

                              {time}  1545


                             General Leave

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for Members to 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to congratulate the Oregon State University Beavers for their 
win in the 2007 National Collegiate Association Division I College 
World Series.
  On June 24, 2007, Oregon State University captured its second 
baseball national championship in as many years by defeating the 
University of North Carolina Tar Heels two games to none in the best of 
three series. College baseball fans, student athletes, and the general 
public were treated to an exciting College World Series.
  I want to extend my congratulations to the student athletes and 
coaches for attaining back-to-back national championships.
  I want to extend my congratulations to the University of North 
Carolina Tar Heels and their student athletes for a great season. The 
Tar Heels had a season record of 57 wins and 16 losses, and they were 
Atlantic Coast Conference champions.
  Winning back-to-back championships has brought national acclaim to 
Oregon State University's outstanding athletic program, and I know the 
fans of that university will remember this very special moment for 
many, many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise also in support of House Resolution 515 congratulating Oregon 
State University's baseball team for winning the 2007 National 
Collegiate Association Division I College World Series championship for 
the second consecutive year.
  On June 24, 2007, the Beavers of Oregon State defeated the University 
of North Carolina Tar Heels by a score of 9-3, sweeping the best of 
three series, two games to none, to win the 2007 NCAA Division I 
College World Series championship. They became the first team in 10 
years to win back-to-back College World Series championships.
  Oregon State University dominated the finals of the College World 
Series, trailing for only one of the 45 innings they played. The 
Beavers of Oregon State outscored their opponents 42-16 during their 
remarkable run in the College World Series, becoming the first three-
seed to ever win the tournament.
  Much of this team's success is due to Head Coach Pat Casey. After 
starting the year with only 23 wins and only 3 losses, the team hit a 
bit of a slump in May, which nearly cost them a spot in the tournament. 
But Coach Casey kept the team motivated and focused to help lead the 
Beavers to a 49-18 record.
  The 2007 World Series MVP, Jorge Reyes, a freshman, who went 2-0 with 
a 2.92 ERA during the College World Series, became only the fifth 
freshman to ever win the award in the 58-year history of the College 
World Series.
  And while we commend the college athletics department today, we 
should also recognize Oregon State University as an excellent academic 
institution. Known for its geosciences programs, which rank sixth in 
the Nation, the university offers over 200 undergraduate programs and 
more than 80 graduate programs. The campus has a renowned library and 
exceptional research facilities as well as great internship and study 
abroad programs to offer its students.

[[Page H8881]]

  I extend my congratulations to Head Coach Pat Casey, Athletics 
Director Bob De Carolis, President Dr. Edward Ray, and all of the 
hardworking players, the fans, and Oregon State University. I am happy 
to represent my good friend and colleague Representative Hooley in 
recognizing this exceptional team in all of its accomplishments and 
wish all involved continued success.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to Congresswoman Darlene 
Hooley.
  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for 
yielding.
  I rise today supporting Resolution 515, congratulating the Oregon 
State University Beavers baseball team for winning the 2007 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series.
  As a representative of Oregon's Fifth Congressional District, the 
home of Oregon State University, it is my privilege to offer this 
resolution on behalf of my constituents. As a graduate of Oregon State 
University, it is with personal pride that I now speak on its behalf.
  Ours is an institution set in a small town far removed from the 
national stage. Yet for those who have ventured there, OSU has always 
been a source of inspiration. We do not have the tradition of 
championships upon which the better-known programs of the Pacific-10 
Conference have built their reputations. What we do have is a sense of 
self and determination.
  Titles have come rarely to our school. Prior to 2006 only once had a 
Beaver team claimed a crown, nearly 50 years having passed since then. 
And in that time we have had our successes, our share of All-Americans 
or individual champions in the Olympic sports. But such achievements 
all too often pass unnoticed. It is the team sports that register in 
our national consciousness. For us, that has been very elusive.
  Our inspiration has not always come from championships. Our 
inspiration has come from the character and determination of our 
student athletes. It is in their perseverance that we have found the 
meaning of sport. Corvallis is a small town, shadowed by clouds and 
rain, set in the beautiful Willamette Valley. It is here these student 
athletes have quietly studied and trained, here they have known the 
same trials and tribulations as those who have come from programs 
lauded on the national stage, and it is here that generations have 
formed a community.
  I cannot bring this resolution to the floor without first mentioning 
the community which the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Division I baseball 
champions call home. These championships were won by a single team, but 
these team championships were not won for themselves. These 
championships are for the community. They are for all the student 
athletes of Oregon State. They are for the University, for Corvallis. 
They are for Oregon. Indeed, they are for Beaver Nation and the 
tradition it supports.
  On behalf of the whole of Beaver Nation, on behalf of all the student 
athletes at Oregon State, I congratulate and thank the 2006 and 2007 
Beaver baseball team for being an inspiration to all of us.
  Before Coach Pat Casey took the helm of Beaver baseball, there were 
questions about the ability of Corvallis to draw top baseball talent 
away from schools of the Sun Belt. There were questions, but these 
questions did not come from those that knew Oregon State and Corvallis. 
Under Coach Casey's tutelage, the Beavers have become the latest team 
to take their turn at the vanguard of the PAC-10 Conference, ``The 
Conference of Champions.'' The Beavers are the third PAC-10 team to win 
consecutive national titles in baseball. To be sure, the Beavers have 
entered into an elite company as one of only five teams in the history 
of Division I baseball to win consecutive national titles.
  The Beavers took their journey, as we knew they would, by virtue of 
the perseverance and the character that is so indicative of Oregon 
State. In 2005, the team entered the College World Series only to lose 
their first two games in the double-elimination tournament. In 2006, 
the team entered the College World Series to lose their first game and 
faced elimination in every game before starting anew in the 
championship series, where they won their first title, two games to 
one.
  After losing seven of nine position players and the strength of their 
2006 pitching staff, the Beavers had a strong preseason in 2007 but 
slumped in the intra-conference competition of the PAC-10. One of the 
last teams to be selected for the field of 64 by the committee, the 
defending national champions were unseeded and undaunted. The Beavers 
played their way through the regional tournament and the super regional 
tournament to earn a berth in the College World Series for a third 
consecutive year.
  Returning to Omaha, this team had first known loss. This team had 
faced elimination before victory. This team was almost not selected for 
the tournament. This team won five straight games against the Nation's 
best, won their second straight title, and now enters the annals of the 
one of the great teams in college baseball history.
  My colleagues, the Oregon State Beaver baseball team has written a 
storybook tale, inspiring all of us. I thank them for this, and I ask 
that you join with me in congratulating the 2007 Oregon State Beaver 
baseball team, your NCAA Division I collegiate baseball champions.
  I ask my colleagues for their support
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 515.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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